THE SUPER GIMMICK
KING KONG
KING KONG
CHINNA ANNAAMALAI
I am now writing what I read somewhere many years ago. May be some details might differ. But the general story is the same.
King Kong and Dara Singh were great names in World Class Wrestling about 60 years ago.
Both of them showed a mutual rivalry and hatred for each other.
Their wrestling bouts were full of name-calling and abuse.
Once, they had a match in Bombay.
This wasorganised by the great showman, writer, novelist, activist, and film-maker - Chinna Annaamalai.
Just a few days before the scheduled fight in Bombay, Dara Singh and King Kong arrived in Bombay.
It so happened that on one particular day, Dara Singh walked into a shop which was selling glassware, ornamental pieces, crockery, chandeliers, etc.
He was inspecting some of the ware and asking the price.
It so happened that who else but King Kong sauntered into the very same shop.
There he started using abusive language against Darah Singh.
Darah Singh also gave back and the exchange became hotter and hotter.
Suddenly King Kong landed a punch on Darah Singh. Darah Singh retaliated in kind.
Pushing and pulling each other, they broke a lot of glasses. In fact King Kong started throwing some of them.
Of course the shop keeper was howling in desparation.
What else can he do?
All this commotion drew a very big crowd. Who would not like to see Darah Singh-King Kong fight free of cost? Especially in a glassware shop
in a very busy street? In down town Bombay?
Some of the onlookers stopped the fight.
It so happened that Chinna Annamali was also one of the onlookers.
He told fighting duo to settle their scores in the wrestling ring when their bout took place. And not in a shop like this.
Very reluctantly they agreed. But still exchanging vulgar words and gestures.
They then went their ways.
This incident was duly reported by all papers, most of which carried
the story with headlines.
Word spread like wild fire.
Not only the Bombayites, but the people from afar off also came to see the match where Darah Singh and King Kong would settle their grudge.
Tickets were sold out.
But the crowd would not go back.
So the people were crammed into the stadium as much as possible. Of course for the normal ticket fare.
And the fight took place.
It broke all records for a wrestling match box-office collection.
The glassware shopkeeper was at the ring-side enjoying the fight for the second time.
And he was grinning and beaming with all smiles.
Why would'nt he?
He had already been paid Rs.17000 for the broken glassware and the damages caused to the shop.
This amount was more than the total damages.
Because he had played his part very well. According to script.
But then the organiser of the match had made many many many times more than he could ever have dreamt of.
Thanks to Chinna Annamalai.
If he had been around and if you had happened to have asked him, he would certainly have winked at you and said,
"THAT'S SHOWBIZ BUDDY! ".
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